GUEST OP-ED: Outpouring of kindness at Dreamlift' is overwhelming

Some 25 years ago I was approached by dear friends of mine, Joe Lech and Dave Burns who were both involved with raising money for a local charity. Both Joe and Dave were law enforcement officers (ironically both their sons Joe and Dave are also and now I work with them) and asked for my help at a golf tournament.

I said sure and asked what charity is it and they said the Sunshine Foundation. They told me that the foundation was started by a Philadelphia police officer by the name of Bill Sample. Bill walked the beat at Childrens Hospital and made a promise that when he retired he would start a non-profit that would grant wishes and dreams to chronically, physically and handicapped children.

And that he did.

With the help of Joe and Dave, Harry Masterson and others, the Mercer Chapter was founded and to date is the largest chapter. I quickly was taken by the whole operation. I witnessed first hand the many acts of sunshine given to those less fortunate. I quickly learned that the chapter consisted of all volunteers and that about 90 cents of the dollar raised goes right to the chapters mission.

I wanted in.

This is what makes Sunshine so great. I then was told about Operation Dreamlift, a one-day trip to Disney, a highlight of the chapter’s fundraising. To date I have been on dozens of Dreamlifts, each that seems to have their own magic. What pleasure it is to witness firsthand the smiles and cheers of joy for each of these children. Each day is usually a struggle for them, but Dreamlift Day is different.

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There is no pain or struggle, just smiles and contentment. Something comes over each and every one of us who has the privilege to spend the day with these children. They truly teach us the meaning of perseverance, gratitude and patience. I realize how precious life really is, and how lucky I am to have been a part of the small bit of sunshine that is spread if only for one day.

Dreamlift would never happen without the countless supporters. The money raised by the many events throughout the year plus the sheer generosity of so many, make this day happen. We could never express enough the gratitude for the simplest of donations to the very large. Every penny adds up and all is appreciated. Sometimes it’s not the receiving that moves me to tears, as much as the way it is done — with pure unselfishness that I have witnessed over and over again.

No matter how many Dreamlifts I have been on I still get emotional. Just to witness the outpouring of hundreds of well wishers, community, civic, mascots, characters, law and fire officers, national guard and the many officials of Mercer County who take their time to get up early and spend time with the kids before they board the plane to the Magic Kingdom is a sight to behold. The many volunteers, chaperones, teachers and others are true angels. One thing that always sticks in my mind is that the return flight although late at night has just as many there to welcome us back.

As we descend to touch ground back in Mercer the runway is lit up by the many fire apparatus there with their lights shining bright welcoming our kids back home. A most uplifting vision.

The pure kindness of so many never ceases to amaze me Mercer County, and the wonderful people who live here are my heroes.